Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

Despite waking in the morning feeling rested, after Malcolm had left and she had fed Elise once more, Elyna found that her strength and energy waned. It was unlike her to take long naps, but she found that she slept in rhythm with the baby. Having laid down on the bed after the latest feeding. She woke closer to lunch time and fixed herself a sandwich. Elsie was fed again, but the child was restless afterward. Peering at the world as though she could demand it came into focus. It was then that Elyna had taken up her sword. With Elise safe in the cradle once more, Elyna had gone over the patterns of sword work that had long been ingrained into her bones and muscles.

More than anything, the rhythmic steps and careful movements soothed her mind and body. She was pleased to realise that her body was more able to obey her commands. Though she wobbled between occasional steps, the movements still flowed. For the first time since becoming pregnant, Elyna found that she could harbour some hope, that her body would return to what it had been before.

Perhaps it was too far, but with Elsie settled and dreaming the woman took the opportunity to train the muscles. With her feet pointed to the fire she lay flat on the floorboards. With her hands behind her head she forced herself to sit up. The muscles of her core were woefully weak and screamed protested. She could only manage three of the movements before agony had her lying back, panting as stars danced in front of her eyes.

It was going to take time, she reminded herself. Time and more practise, but she would get there. Three sit ups today. It would be four tomorrow. Night had fallen early with the approach to winter. Elyna rolled onto her front and pushed up with her hands. Three press ups and she climbed back to her feet.

She had time to bath by candlelight and then to fix a hearty stew. The meat bubbled in a thick broth before it was added to a pie dish. She combined flour, water and butter into a light pastry before kneading it out. Added to the dish the pie was set into the oven to slowly bake. The smell of cooked meat wafted through the house. It was enough to wake Elsie. Baby collected, fed, changed and soothed, Elyna turned to the door. Hearing hoofbeats on the road she lent against the frame with the baby curled in the crook of her arm, watching as the travellers returned through a dark and foggy night.

Malcolm had been assigned ten captains, each of which had between eight and ten knights with the odd squire tagging along to do the heavy lifting. Benjamin and his old team were there every day for training, on time, and worked without fuss; they knew their old captain’s routines, rules, and mannerisms, and weren't about to let him down. Everyone else, though, had a lot to learn, but at least they seemed eager to please, all except one.
His name was Murphy Webb, he was the captain of ten strong, but wayward men, and seemed a little corrupt if anyone were to ask Malcolm. His skin was olive, weathered, and wrinkled like thick paper that had been wet and dried over and over again. Murphy had a menacing look about him and a sinister smile that made it hard to imagine what went on inside his mind, and whether or not he would follow, or fancied himself the better leader of the two of them.
Scheduled for that afternoon had been a match between the Captain and the squadron’s Warden, and everyone had stuck around to watch the two go head to head. For the most part they were on an even playing-field. Both knights preferred their right hands to their left, both used a longblade as their weapon of choice, and each were fitted with a comfortable shield. Malcolm tested the weight of the shield on his arm and lifted it high and low to make sure there would be no surprises once the battle commenced.
They stood across from each other, each taking the measure of the man in front of him. Murphy was at least six foot, almost as tall as Malcolm, so he knew the man would have good reach with his blade. The rest of the knights gave them plenty of space, watching from the arena stands tucked away in one corner of the barracks. Murphy made the first move, closing the distance between them. He swung low and Malcolm blocked with the bottom of his shield, only to catch a foot against his right hip, one that saw him stumble backwards.
There came a cheer from the crowd and Murphy smirked. “Isn't that noble bastard yours?”
Malcolm’s mind instantly jumped to defend his newest child Elsie with retort, but Murphy spoke again before he could even open his mouth.
“I suppose that's why you took the mission, you don't want to see one of us lop his head off.”
Malcolm put some distance between the two of them, he knew his tactic, one that involved making a man so mad he couldn't see straight and tended towards acting without thinking. “We fighting or courting?” Malcolm launched the second attacked, swinging hard at his target, and as Murphy brought his shield up to defend, Malcolm changed tactics and rammed the man with his own shield. Murphy fell into the dust and Malcolm extended a hand to help him up. “You know I hear you can pay to talk to people about your problems nowadays.”
Murphy shove the hand aside and lashed out with another kick that Malcolm was only just able to narrowly avoid. The Warden swung his sword again and Murphy blocked before rolling across the ground. Malcolm didn't give him any time to recover and as soon as he tried to stand the tread of Malcolm’s boot met his shoulder and he was thrown down again. This time Malcolm wasn't so forgiving, and closes his boot over Murphy’s blade near the hilt so that the man's fingers became trapped, crushed under the grip of his blade. The Warden positioned the point of his sword against Murphy’s neck and the fight was done.
It had been a short match, but Malcolm was now sure Murphy’s intention hadn't been to test the man's skill with a blade, rather, he wanted to know whether or not Malcolm was easily rattled.

On the road home Godric had asked what it was Murphy had said at the beginning of the match. “I've never seen that look on your face before,” Avari had followed up. “It looked like you wanted to rip that old man's heart out.”
“He only asked that I show him my best,” Malcolm lied, if there was division within his ranks he wasn't about to encourage it. All he could do was keep his eye on Murphy and hope for the best.
Outside the cottage, Godric helped with the horses and polished up a bit of the gear before putting it away while Avari made sure the animals had plenty of water and straw for the night ahead. Malcolm washed his hands in a cold bucket of water and made a move towards the house before he was stopped by a curious look from Grodric. “What is it?” he asked the man.
“Are we joining you for dinner?” Godric inquired.
“I can't see why not, Elyna knows you're both staying.”
Avari hung up the reins and followed them out of the barn. “Does she mind me taking up the guest bedroom?”
“Unless you're planning to play the drums all night and or entertain guests, I don't think she'll mind at all,” he smiled.
The woman grinned, almost shy. “I'd really like a bath, I haven't had one since we were on the ship.”
“Of course, you're welcome to it, you too Godric.”
“I'm fine,” he waved, “I showed at the barracks before the fight.”
Inside the house, Godric added another log to the fire before sitting down at the table. Avari excused herself and ducked into the bathroom, and Malcolm wandered over to Elyna to press a kiss to her temple and the joined Godric.
“Is that what I think it is?” Godric smiled.
Malcolm sniffed and realised Elyna was cooking one of her delicious meat pies. “On second thoughts, Godric, I might have to send you to bed without a meal. I just don't think there is enough to go round.”
Godric laughed and kicked the man under the table. “You'll just have to sacrifice half of your piece then, Malcolm.”
“Sirothelle will freeze over before that happens,” the mortalborn smirked.

They sat together in domestic bliss, the fire roaring, a warm meal on the table, and Elyna close at hand. Malcolm watched her and offered a faint smile whenever he was caught. Godric ate like a starved child, tempted but not quite going as far as to lick his plate clean. He got up and rinsed all of the dishes while Malcolm and Elyna ate, and when Elyna was summoned from the table after dinner by Elsie’s hungry howls, Malcolm got to his feet and set aside a plate for Avari.
“She's sure got a good set of lungs on her,” Godric commented.
“Avari?” Malcolm looked up, jolted from his current line of thought.
Godric laughed. “No, Elsie.”
Malcolm was sure hed had turned ten different shades of red. “Oh, yes, she's really found her voice in the last few trials.”
Godric wiped the smug smirk off his face with a slow shake of his head. “Are we getting up at the same time tomorrow?”
“Yes,” Malcolm nodded. “You might have a few more bits to yourself, I think Elyna wants to join us on the road which will mean a bit of a late start and a wagon ride.”
“All right, I'll see you then,” Godric smiled and dried his hands on the dishcloth. “Thank Elyna for the meal, will you?”
Malcolm saw him to the door. “I will, thanks for your help with the dishes, and the training today.”
Godric waved. “My pleasure.”
On his way to join Elyna in the bedroom, Malcolm heard Avari call out to him and stopped in front of the bathroom door. “Everything all right?” he asked.
He heard the water in the bath slosh as Avari sat up. “Yes, fine, could you get me a towel?”
“Oh,” Malcolm felt a little flustered by the request. “On the shelf against the far wall.”
“There aren't any,” she called back gently.
“All right, just a moment.” Malcolm left the house to go out to the line and bring in the washing that had been forgotten. It was dry but felt a little cool for being left out in the late evening air, and of everything he took down, Malcolm had only found one towel. He brought everything in and set it down on a chair in front of the Fire to dry a bit better during the night, and folded the towel up before taking it to the bathroom door.
He turned the handle and held the towel out without stepping inside. “Come in,” Avari encouraged.
Malcolm looked across at the bedroom door, still closed. Elyna must have been feeding Elsie, he thought. Malcolm went into the bathroom and kept his gaze low, but held the towel open. He caught a glimpse of the shelf in the corner and looked across at Avari. “There are loads of tow---,” he stopped mid sentence, heart pounding in his chest at the sight of her, hair slicked back, and the water level low, going no higher than her belly button, bare chest exposed, an arm tucked behind her head while the other hand was rested causally upon her thigh.
Malcolm blinked and quickly found his tongue. “Avari what are you playing at?” the man kept his voice low. “There are loads of towels here.”
Avari crossed her legs and lifted a slender brow. “What are you playing at, Malcolm? A good man would have left the room by now.”
Malcolm dropped the towel and turned, leaving the bathroom with haste. He shut the door and carried on to the bedroom, entering without so much as looking at Elyna or the baby, instead pointing his attention at the window. He shut the curtains and lit another candle to give him enough light to get undressed in, and started taking off his tabard, the leather tight on account of the cold and it's newness. He wrestled his way out of it and let it collect on the floor, boots and weapon’s belt swiftly following.
“Godric told me to say thank you very much on his behalf for the pie,” Malcolm said with his back to Elyna still, he didn't trust his face, thinking it might give something away he wouldn't feel comfortable mentioning. “Thank you for preparing that…”

Peace had settled in the house. Elsie slept long enough for Elyna to at least eat some of the meal she’d prepared. The beef had been sliced into small chunks then fried with oil and pepper to seal the flavour. Finally she’d added a thick stock of gravy, peas and carrots to the stew. She tested the pastry as Malcolm and his companions came in through the door. Godric looked as though he was ready to drool and a faint smile crossed her features once more. Caught by Malcolm who’d approached and pressed his lips to her forehead.
Dinner served and with plenty of hot water taken through to the bathroom for Avari, Elyna sat down. Cooking had left her weary once more, which surprised the young woman. Surely making simple meals shouldn’t be enough to drain her energy? She felt pale however, as though she’d lost a lot of blood and her heart beat sluggish in her chest. Godric seemed to have forgiven her for holding a sword against him the night before and answered her questions about Malcolm’s command. Some of the Knights and Captains she’d heard of, some she had not. The Skyrirder tried to organise her thoughts, pressing her fingers to a temple that had started to throb.
Grateful when Godric stood to clean the platers, she caught Mal’s gaze on her once again. He offered a wane smile which she failed to return, confused. Why was he watching her? Did he think she was about to run away into the night? The woman lifted a hand to her neck, to touch the necklace that had held her ring. Her fingers brushed bare skin though. The necklace had been discarded, along with the token of his love. Elsie’s cry was a welcome relief and she stood, excusing herself with haste.
The smell of well-cooked pie followed her into the room. With a single candle lit and balanced in the sconce she collected the wailing baby. The child always seemed to be hungry, demanding her attention and what remained of her energy. As Elsie fed, Elyna could feel her own eyelids grow heavy with exhaustion. On Malcolm’s side of the bed, she lay down and placed her daughter in the centre of the blankets. Elsie kicked her little legs with delight as her Mother held her gently tucked against her shirt. She’d worn her long green skirt and the cleanest shirt she could find for dinner. Some of the morning had been spent scrubbing out bloodstains from both her’s and the Mortalborn’s clothing. Lemon and sugar had worked miracles but as she rested her head against the unfamiliar pillow, she realised that the washing remained outside.
“I’ll fetch it in,” she murmured to Elsie, “I won’t leave it to freeze overnight, you’ll see.” She traced a fingertip over the soft skin, words slurring from exhaustion, “I just need to close my eyes but I’m not going to sleep.”
She was aware of footsteps in the house and the rumble of Malcolm’s voice. The door flew open in a hurry and caused the Skyrider to jolt. Having been perfectly content and comfortable, Elise let out a whimper of protest and turned, accusing in the direction of her Father. Warmth and light flooded the room and left Ely curling up against his pillow. It smelt of him. She watched him without moving. The rapid retirement of his tabard, belt and boots as they were discarded in a hurry.
Godric was grateful for the meal. Elyna nodded, “I remembered it was something you had once enjoyed,” she’d once found a plate licked clean and they didn’t have a dog. The woman laid a gentle hand on her daughter’s belly and drew a deep breath, struggling to stay awake. “I heard Avari call. Did she want something?”

“Once?” he smiled, “I still do.” Malcolm turned to approach the bed, standing at the end as he noticed Elyna had taken up his side and placed Elsie in the middle. He went rigid with her next question and peeled his shirt off in order to buy himself a bit more time before having to answer. “She wanted to know where the towels were, I told her she was welcome to use the ones on the shelf.”
Malcolm could have probably done with a bath himself, but after Avari’s actions, he was worried she might walk in on him and decide to start a conversation. “Come here,” he strained as he picked Elsie up, as if she were the heaviest child in all of Rynmere. “Look at you, growing so fast,” he noticed. Of course, it had been a long time since Malcolm had held a baby, especially one of his own, but Elsie did seem to be growing faster than he remembered either of the boys doing so.
After setting Elsie down in her crib, he went to the bed and stood over Elyna, bowing to lean down and tuck his arms under her back and the fold of her legs. He lifted the woman without complaint and moved her over no more than a foot or two before setting her down and climbing into bed to wrap his arm around her. He tucked himself against the woman and brushed her hair aside to get comfortable. However, once he was settled in, he continued to comb his fingers through Elyna’s hair.
“I brought the washing in for you,” he said quietly and listened as he heard the bathroom door open.
Avari walked into her room and shut the door, and Malcolm was finally able to close his eyes and relax. Still his mind was busy, what in the world had Avari been up to? He tried not to relive the experience, but so fresh in his mind, it was difficult not to. With one hand, Malcolm freed Elyna’s shirt from the waistband of her skirt and lay his hand flat against the bare skin of her stomach. He drew his hand up her form slowly and hoisted himself up on his elbow to lean forwards and kiss her neck before seeking out her mouth.

Elyna watched as the shirt retreated up the skin of his back and was discarded. It had been a long time since either of them had been eager to discard clothing so fast. Something that was only in part due to the change of weather. His skin was tinted gold in the candlelight, as though he been painted. She tilted her head on the pillow as she watched before her brows drew together in a frown. He lied to her. Fingertips twitched against the bedsheets as the words settled. She didn’t know how, or to what depth the lie was but he hadn’t spoken the truth.
Busy with collecting Elsie she suspected that he hadn’t seen the confusion that had crossed her features. He picked her up and moved her and the Skyrider didn’t protest. She rolled onto her side, tucking a hand beneath the pillow and closed her eyes. More than ready to go to sleep. The pounding exhaustion in her temple nagged, along with the sense that all was not well. Malcolm wrapped an arm around her middle. Something comfortable, after all she’d woken up in his arms. It was warmer, sleeping against his bare skin. He fussed over her hair and some of the tension eased. Stroked away in the careful motions.
The bathroom door opened, closed, followed by the guestroom opening and then closing again. The arm around her middle seemed to sink, relaxed. She felt herself sinking deeper into the mattress, warm and safe and comfortable. She needed to change out of her skirts, she knew. She also needed to get under the covers or she’d be cold in the night, she knew that too. Two simple tasks that felt as though they were currently out of reach. Warm fingers slid beneath her shirt and her eyes flew open. Blinking in the flickering light, Elyna pulled in a careful breath. Her mind struggled to catch up to Malcolm’s motions and the tentative exploration. What on Idalos was he doing? It didn’t make any sense. Last night he’d ordered her to leave, the night before he’d spurned her advances and now he was eager to…to what? Her heart raced in her chest. Her body seemed to react without permission or needing to understand what was happening. Skin lifted at his touch, hairs standing on end. The skin of her spine and neck rebelled against confusion, sensitive to the careful brush of his lips.
Elyna turned in the Mortalborn’s arms and was caught in his kiss. Shocked, she lay still. Weariness had fled and left her mind racing even faster than her heart. She would have been surprised if he couldn’t hear it thundering beneath his. Lips parted and the kiss returned with instinctive reply. Her own mouth eased beneath his before the woman lent back, eyes wide and studied him, “what are you doing?”
In the back of her mind, she could feel it. All the sensation that Vri had taken and locked away. The rise of dizzying passionate love, and the crushing desolation of despair. It was there and she could accept it's return. Like a distant song across the night.

The gestured returned, stunned him. Malcolm hadn't expected Elyna to be receptive or willing to indulge his kisses. The prospect excited him, and whatever had plagued his mind moments ago was no more than a distant thought now. Malcolm closed a hand over malleable flesh and squeezed, the kiss deepened moments before Elyna stopped him and drew back, questioning his actions. His hand fell away and he collapsed against his arm and rolled onto his back. Motionless, he felt his heart pounding in his chest and closed his eyes, no more than a child scolded, told to get to sleep.
“I'm sorry,” he said, the words only seeming to make his heart race faster, paired with the guilt he was now harbouring for not sharing the whole truth, but how could he, what good would it do? “I…” speak the truth and slay your demons, he thought to himself. “Avari asked for a towel,” red alert, red alert! his mind screamed at him. “I got one off the clothesline and went into the bathroom to give it to her, pointed out the towels on the shelf,” keep digging, “and left,” well done, you idiot.
For a moment he hadn't been able to tell if his eyes were open or closed, and he lay there, staring at the ceiling feeling like his heart had stopped, anticipating the worst.

The kiss ended with her question and the distant call of music faded into the background. Elyna remained where she lay, watching the shadows dance on the ceiling. His breath was uneasy, as was hers. As though she’d been running, limbs tight with adrenaline and ready to continue the marathon. The frown returned, marching across her features as he stumbled over his words. Elyna turned her head on the pillow to study his face. The line of his nose before the silhouette dipped and curved over his lips. His jaw was dotted with rough stubble. The Skyrider lifted a hand to touch against her own cheek, where his skin had grazed hers and left it raw.
He was sorry for kissing her? Or for stopping? “Do you think she didn’t see them? The towels?” She asked, curious. Perhaps they weren’t where the Mortalborn woman had expected to see them. Was this why Malcolm apologised? Was it the lie he’d told? The Skyrider took her turn to sit up, propping her weight on her elbow as she studied him, confused. She replayed the scenario in her head and studied again, the flush on his cheeks. The flickering pulse in his neck. Avari in the bath? Naked, well obviously… of course Malcolm should have taken her a towel if she hadn’t been able to find them, but…then why lie? The heat that had risen over her abdomen turned to sudden ice. Water could have frozen on her skin in that instant and she sat up further.
Her shirt, loose and unfastened fell away from her shoulder and exposed the creamy skin beneath. She studied the man on the bed and her confusion only deepened. Elyna felt as though she should be angry, but couldn’t pin point a reason why. So the emotion was hard to hold onto. A distant memory of jealousy. Not because of what Malcolm had inadvertently seen, but had he wanted to? Elyna realised that her breath still came fast an uneasy and she inhaled, measuring and counting the beats of her heart. Finally she let the air out from her lungs.
“Avari was your first lover, wasn’t she? I don’t suppose you saw anything you’ve not seen before,” she lifted a shoulder in a shrug, “I imagine, Malcolm, that no matter what the world has in store for you, Avari will also be your last.” Mortal lives were fleeting for the children of Immortals. No matter the path Malcolm chose or who he decided to love, Avari would simply out wait them and out live them. A balm to all wounds. Elyna had only interacted with the woman in the briefest of moments but those bits had left her uncomfortable. It was like being watched by a predator, someone waiting for you to die so that they could pick over your carcass.
Had he stirred with passion because of Avari? Was that why he was sorry? Her hair fell in a dark wave of curls over her exposed skin and she glanced at the door. Somewhere, sometime, she was furious. Now though, she felt numb. “If you wanted to join her…”

“I don't know,” he uttered when in his heart of hearts he felt the answer was yes, yes Avari had meant to trick him, and yes he had fallen for it. Had he meant to, had he wanted to? No.
Elyna called the woman his first and it was his turn to study her, had they spoken about that? Did her saying that Avari would also be his last imply that she thought he wanted to return to her one day? Anything after that had just been noise, a haze of movement and sound as he watched her through the fog of his own scrambling thoughts.
“No, Elyna no,” he said and reached up to caress her cheek. “There is only you,” he whispered and sat up to press his lips to her’s again, his arm winding around her middle.
Malcolm pulled the woman against his form and manipulated her limbs with his free hand, drawing her knee closer, the leg restricted by the skirt she wore. He wrestled with the fabric until she was able to sit across his lap comfortably, straddling him. Neck and bare shoulder showered with slow, burning kisses, he held his hands against the small of her back and moved them up the length of her spine, closing his lips against the left side her neck to leave a soft, red mark there.
“I love you, you're the only one I want.”

Another lie had her fingertips tingling. The sensation however was overruled when Malcolm reached up and pressed his hand against her skin. He was enough to steal her breath away. The muscle in her chest hadn’t had time to calm down and so was quick to ignite again. Sparks felt as though they were blazing over her skin as he pulled her forward and over him. The evidence of his own passionate intent was clear as her knees were guided either side of his hips. She squirmed as his mouth closed over her neck. The skin raised beneath his lips and sending shocks and jolts of pleasure down her body through her spine.
It was all such a jumbled mess. The push and pull of their actions and words had set a storm in her mind. It spun slowly, collecting all her thoughts and twisting them. The distant call of music returned, like the drumming of her heart. She could sink into him and respond to this if she chose. Passion and lust with Malcolm were tightly entwined with her love for the Mortalborn man. She arched, leaning back as kisses explored burning skin.
“I love you, you're the only one I want.”
A slow sigh escaped her lips and hips moved in memory of other nights, and other times he’d set her pulse racing and caused her heart to feel too large for her chest. Would he catch her if she fell for him, all over again? The Skyrider couldn’t be certain and with the trace of doubt, the flame he’d lit was extinguished leaving cool air soothed fevered advances. The woman stilled and bent her head against his. She rested her hands on his shoulders and smoothed the skin beneath her thumbs. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

Elyna bowed against the man’s form and sighed. His heart was racing, not because of the excitement he knew he should feel, but the dread of knowing Elyna was right. He had handled this poorly and that was not fair on her. Still, he had told the truth… but the truth didn't keep anyone warm at night.
Malcolm closed his eyes and fell back against the pillows. He waited for Elyna to move aside and get ready for bed before welcoming her back into the covers with his arm held open to her. Under the sheets he lay close, but not so close that she would know how fear gripped him now. Was he going to lose her? For a whole season it seemed as if he might, and as he prepared his mind for another restless night, he fixed Elyna’s hair, stroking it away from her face, and thought about the upcoming journey into the Burning Mountains.